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Review

This entertaining biography of Paul Newman by Darwin Porter is not so much a chronological history of an icon of American theater and film, as an episodic history of the loves and lusts of an American icon of beauty and physicality. It is the diary of a true pan-sexual athlete.

And what a delightful read; Great fun and well-researched. Mr. Porter seems to have spoken to everyone who knew Paul Newman, especially in the biblical sense. The stories are told by the many objects of Paul's momentary affection. Most come directly from their own memories, or from somebody very close to both parties.

If the author is to be believed, one of the world's most beautiful men was a thoroughbred in more ways than one. He was sought after by, and he pursued, just about every legend of stage and screen. Young (Tuesday Weld, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Tony Perkins, Marilyn Monroe) and old (Joan Crawford, Ava Gardner, Tallulah Bankhead). Paul did not discriminate in any way. Sex was all equal -- and fun -- for him, whether for business (Tennessee Williams, William Inge) or pleasure (Marlon Brando, James Dean, Joanne Woodward).

It would be easier to list the famous people he did NOT sleep with. Frank Sinatra would surely top that very short list. They were drinking and whoring buddies rather than bed buddies. But even that super-straight, other famous Blue Eyes, said that if he were ever -- or in any way -- so inclined, he would have Paul's beautiful behind. It was generally accepted that Paul Newman was one of the sexiest men in the world, an athlete in the sack, and few could resist him. Who would want to?!

The book does turn a little darker as Paul enters middle age and he must confront that transition. It was made quite evident when he made "The Color of Money" with Tom Cruise. The publicity machines touted it as 'the sex symbol of the 50's and 60's meets the sex symbol of the 80's'. They became friends, but Paul had to confront some personal demons. He also had to confront the loss of Marilyn Monroe, made especially hard after their last rather unpleasant meeting.

But one of the most amusing anecdotes, one might not be surprised to hear, concerns Paul's evening with Tallulah Bankhead and Tennessee Williams, both of whom had him. As a teaser, I will just share with you Tallulah's opening salvo when introduced to Paul by Tennessee, and leave the rest for you to discover.

"Upon being introduced to Paul by Tennessee, she went right to the point. 'How big is your cock, dah-ling?'

'That's you to find out later tonight', Paul said.

'A promise I shall hold you to', she said. 'Come on in, dear one. I'm already seven drinks ahead of you pansies'.

'I'm not a pansy', Paul protested. 'I'm a happily married man'.

'Oh, please, dah-ling, people are eating!'"

That exchange just about says it all, in terms of how you might enjoy this gutsy, lusty portrait of Paul Newman. You will certainly see the star in a whole new light (he was so much more than a purveyor of salad dressings and leader of good causes), and have a ball at the same time. Reading is quick and light. You can open this book to just about any page and enjoy a good story.

 -- Miles Fusco